Al-Ahli offer Franck Kessie €10m deal for Jeddah return

Al-Ahli have made an official offer to re-sign former midfielder Franck Kessie as they look to strengthen their squad before the new season, according to Saudi newspaper Okaz.

The proposed deal would bring the Cote d’Ivoire international back to the club for one season, following his departure after a relatively short spell away. Al-Ahli are understood to value Kessie’s experience, physical strength and ability to perform several roles in midfield.

The club’s offer reportedly includes an annual salary of €10m, as well as an option giving Al-Ahli priority to extend the agreement for a further season. The terms underline the club’s determination to persuade Kessie to return to Jeddah.

Kessie is currently a free agent after his contract with his previous club expired. That situation would allow Al-Ahli to negotiate directly with the player, without having to agree a transfer fee with another club.

The midfielder is already familiar with Al-Ahli and the demands of playing for the club. During his previous time with the side, he produced a series of strong performances and gained experience of the team’s environment, making a possible return a less uncertain option than signing a player who would need time to adapt.

Al-Ahli hope Kessie’s experience could have an immediate impact as they prepare to compete for domestic and continental honours in the coming campaign. The club are seeking players capable of handling the pressure of important matches, and believe the 28-year-old’s profile could provide greater authority in the middle of the pitch.

The proposed move also reflects Al-Ahli’s continuing focus on improving their midfield. The holding-midfielder position has become one of the main areas requiring reinforcement, with the club aiming to assemble a more balanced squad before the start of the season.

Kessie’s previous relationship with Al-Ahli is another factor behind the approach. Rather than recruiting a new player unfamiliar with the squad, the club would be bringing back someone who already understands the team, the league and the atmosphere surrounding the side.

However, the reported offer has not been presented as a completed transfer. Al-Ahli have made their proposal, and the next stage will depend on whether Kessie agrees to return under the terms being offered.

The move comes as the club assess their options in midfield and seek strong solutions ahead of the new campaign. Their interest in Kessie indicates that Al-Ahli remain prepared to make a significant financial commitment to address the position.

The report was published alongside related coverage under the headline “Roshn Scouting: Jaissle addresses Al-Ahli’s problems and jumps ship!”, referring to the club’s wider preparations and the issues facing the team.